Mathilukal(film)
| Mathilukal | |
|---|---|
 Poster designed byGayathri Ashokan | |
| Directed by | Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
| Written by | Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
| Based on | Mathilukal byVaikom Muhammad Basheer |
| Produced by | Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
| Starring | Mammootty |
| Cinematography | Mankada Ravi Varma |
| Edited by | M. Mani |
| Music by | Vijaya Raman |
| Distributed by | Jubilee Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Mathilukal(transl. Walls) is a 1990 IndianMalayalam-language film written, directed, and produced byAdoor Gopalakrishnanbased on the autobiographicalnovel of the same namebyVaikom Muhammad Basheer.[1]The film focuses on the prison life of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and the love between him and Narayani, a female inmate of the prison, who remains unseen throughout the film.[2]Mammoottyplays the role ofVaikom Muhammad BasheerwhileK. P. A. C. Lalithagives voice toNarayani.The film was screened at theVenice Film Festival.
On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013,Forbesincluded Mammootty's performance in the film on its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".[3]
Plot
[edit]Vaikom Muhammed Basheer is imprisoned on charges of sedition. He is unlike the other prisoners, very inquisitive and armed with sardonic wit. Everyone takes a liking to him and even turns to him in times of distress. He strikes up a friendship with the Warden(Thilakan) and an enthusiastic jailor (Sreenath). Due to his unique charisma and popularity as an author, he is afforded privileges that other prisoners don't have. His written works are greatly appreciated by the policemen who supply him with papers to finish his work. One day, Basheer is informed that he will be released soon as all political prisoners are pardoned. But unexpectedly, Basheer's name was missing from the list. His enthusiasm and happiness take a hit, and he is filled with uneasiness and worry. Due to the eerie solitude of the prison complex, Basheer starts to get depressed. The other inmates try to encourage him to accompany them in making a vegetable garden in front of the neighbouring women's prison compound.
Bashir falls in love with a woman in the neighbouring prison compound. They are separated by a high wall, and thus, they never see each other and have to devise ingenious ways to communicate. They exchange gifts by throwing the packages up high so that they cross the wall. Narayani, Bashir's love, is presented as a female voice and never appears in person in the film. Their exchanges are raw, unhinged, and unfiltered. Narayani then comes up with a plan for a meeting, and they decide to meet at the hospital a few days later. But before that, Basheer is released, unexpectedly. For once, he does not want the freedom he had craved for. Bashir is released and isn't able to convey it to Narayani. Bashir helplessly looks at the walls and leaves the jail in tears.[4]
Cast
[edit]- MammoottyasVaikom Muhammad Basheer
- Muralias Basheer's childhood friend
- Ravi Vallatholas Razaq
- Sreenathas Aniyan, the friendly and enthusiastic young jailor
- Karamana Janardanan Nairas a prisoner
- Thilakanas Warden
- M. R. Gopakumaras Prisoner
- Azeezas Inspector
- Babu Namboothirias a political prisoner
- K. P. A. C. Lalithaas Narayani (She doesn't appear in the film, but she voiced the female lead)
Awards
[edit]The film has won the following awards since its release:
- FIPRESCI Prize -Adoor Gopalakrishnan
- UNICEF Award -Adoor Gopalakrishnan
- Best Director- Adoor Gopalakrishnan
- Best Actor-Mammoottyalso forOru Vadakkan Veeragatha
- Best Audiography-N. Harikumar
- Best Regional Film (Malayalam)
- OCIC Award -Adoor Gopalakrishnan
- Best Film
- Grand Prize for Best Director -Adoor Gopalakrishnan
References
[edit]- ^P.K.Ajith Kumar."Romantic interlude".The Hindu.14 May 2010.
- ^P.M.Girish."A Brief Examination of Three Widely-Acclaimed Malayalam Novels".Languageinindia.com. 3 March 2008.
- ^Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N. S.; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013)."25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".Forbes.Retrieved27 January2015.
- ^"Mathilukal-1989 "Archived21 July 2012 at theWayback Machine.Cinemaofmalayalam.net Retrieved 2010-12-27.
- ^"37th National Film Awards".International Film Festival of India.Archived fromthe originalon 5 May 2014.Retrieved29 January2015.
- ^"37th National Film Awards (PDF)"(PDF).Directorate of Film Festivals.Retrieved29 January2015.
- ^"Kerala State Film Awards"Archived3 March 2016 at theWayback Machine
- ^"Must Watch International Award Winning Malayalam Films".
- ^"Adoor Gopalakrishnan wins Best Director Award in France".Rediff.com.21 November 2002.Retrieved29 January2015.
- ^"Must Watch International Award Winning Malayalam Films".
External links
[edit]- MathilukalatIMDb
- Adoor's interview onMathilukal
- "33 years ofMathilukal:Interview with Adoor Gopalakrishnan ".Radio Suno. (in Malayalam). May 2022.
- 1990 films
- 1989 films
- 1989 romantic drama films
- Films directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan
- Films set in the 1940s
- Films based on Indian novels
- 1980s Malayalam-language films
- Indian biographical drama films
- Films whose director won the Best Director National Film Award
- Films featuring a Best Actor National Award-winning performance
- Films scored by Vijaya Bhaskar
- Films that won the Best Audiography National Film Award
- Best Malayalam Feature Film National Film Award winners